Transforming Lives Through Education
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and eighth grader Wyatt Terry is proof. Wyatt is changing lives through education as a sponsor of the Seeds of South Sudan (SOSS) program, a local effort to educate and empower the youngest casualties of a prolonged civil war in South Sudan.
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and eighth grader Wyatt Terry is proof. Wyatt is changing lives through education as a sponsor of the Seeds of South Sudan (SOSS) program, a local effort to educate and empower the youngest casualties of a prolonged civil war in South Sudan.
“My uncle originally sponsored some of the ‘Lost Boys of Sudan,’” explains Wyatt, referring to more than 20,000 boys displaced and/or orphaned during the Second Sudanese Civil War that ended in 2005. “He helped bring them to America and paid for their college educations.”
A decade later, South Sudan is still a country in crisis. Violence, hunger and fear have become normal in this area of Africa where more than 2 million people have been displaced from their homes. Sitting at a luncheon for SOSS in 2014, Wyatt was “mesmerized” by the situation.
“When I heard about what it’s like to live in a refugee camp and how the kids have no chance at an education,” he says, “it inspired me to do something to help kids have a better life.”
Children are among the most tragic victims of South Sudan’s situation. Many are orphaned, and without aid they suffer from disease, malnourishment and exploitation. As the sponsor to 13-year-old Dut Atem Chol, Wyatt has committed to helping at least one boy change his future: he is raising enough money to see Dut pursue college and a career.
In 2014, Wyatt solicited pledges from friends and family to ride his bike from Englewood to Morrison. In one day, accompanied by his father Seth Terry, he rode a grueling 43-mile course. This year, he is training to ride from Echo Lake to the top of Mount Evans and so far, he has collected $3,600 to not only send Dut to school, but to help pay for other kids to go as well. It takes $1,200 per year ($1,500 per year at the high school level) to pay for a child’s education.
Last year, Wyatt put his public speaking skills to work at the SOSS luncheon, where he was the one inspiring others as the organization’s youngest sponsor. He is also getting involved in social networking initiatives to bring more awareness to the suffering in South Sudan and to promote the ways people can get involved.
“Wyatt is a remarkable young man who is so well grounded and takes in stride his truly exceptional work for Seeds of South Sudan,” says Sue Counterman, the organization’s sponsorship coordinator. “That he understands the need and opened his heart with a significant financial commitment is really amazing. He continues to be a very impactful youth ambassador for us.”
Although it’s difficult to correspond one-to-one, Wyatt receives regular report cards showing Dut’s progress at school. Wyatt knows Dut is grateful for the support and education he has started toward his goal of becoming a doctor.
“Graland’s service learning program got me out of my bubble and showed me the world is not a perfect place,” Wyatt shares. “It’s a privilege to get a fantastic education at Graland, and I want to do more for others whose lives are much more challenging.”
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
